THE senior national men’s rugby team, ‘Green Machine’, will be looking to rebound from a recent heavy defeat when they face rivals Barbados tomorrow. The encounter is a crucial fixture in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Test series in the fifteens format.

The two sides are set to clash at the historic Garrison Savannah in Bridgetown at 19:00h local time. This match presents a significant opportunity for Guyana to put in a much-improved performance after the Cayman Islands’ 48-17 hammering in their last RAN outing.

That comprehensive defeat highlighted areas for the Green Machine to address, and this upcoming fixture against familiar regional adversaries, Barbados, is a pivotal chance to demonstrate progress, and secure vital ranking points. Guyana will be drawing on its historical advantage against Barbados, having won six of its seven previous encounters in official Test matches.

The 80 minutes under the lights in Barbados promise an exciting battle between these long-standing rivals. Beyond the immediate result, the match holds importance for the broader development of rugby in the region.

According to RAN, these Test matches are key for player development and fostering competition, and provide valuable opportunities for the growth of referees, match commissioners, and off-field administrators across member unions. This aligns with RAN’s commitment to strengthening the sport at all levels within the Americas North region.

This fixture is part of a series of matches involving several regional teams, including Guyana, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Barbados, Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, and Trinidad & Tobago. These matches are vital for consistent high-level competition, and opportunities for teams to improve their World Rugby rankings.

RAN has outlined ambitious plans for the Men’s XVs competition. Starting in 2026, the structure will be re-organised into three tiers.

This strategic move is designed to provide all participating unions with a more transparent and accessible pathway towards potential qualification for the 2031 Rugby World Cup, aiming to raise the standard of fifteens rugby across the region.

Guyana’s Rugby team will comprise: Johnathan Garnett, Rondel McArthur, Kelvin Grant, Osbert Robertson, Jamal Angus (Captain), James Osborne, Odida Douglas, Renaldo Niles, Adam Yhip, Tyrese Prescod, Vallon Adams, Makayah Smith, Michael Edwards, Godfrey Broomes, Lancelot Adonis, Lionel Holder, Michael Barrow, Devon Charles, Ryan Skinner, Breon Walks, Richard Staglon, Kevin Braithwaite, and Akino James.

Management: Theodore Henry (coach), Laurence Adonis (coach), and Ryan Gonsalves (Manager).